The Canadian province of Quebec has released its new areas of training list in anticipation of the approaching application cycle for its Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
The QSWP is a points-based Canadian immigration program. Points are awarded for various human capital factors, including an applicant’s area of training. From time to time, the government of Quebec revises the points awarded for each area of training in keeping with changes in the provincial labour market. The new list is good news for individuals who have degrees in areas such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Accounting, Translation, Banking and Financial Operations, as these areas of training will be awarded significantly more points than was previously the case.
Up to 16 points may be awarded for a candidate’s area of training. Given that under the most recent version of the program a single applicant required only 49 points in order to be eligible (applicants with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner require 57 points), the area of training may provide up to around 30 per cent of a potential applicant’s points total.
The current regulations governing the program are set to expire on March 31, 2015. The cap of 6,500 applications for the most recent application cycle was filled within four months, though individuals with a validated employment offer from an employer in Quebec may still apply. The government of Quebec has stated that procedures and regulations that will be in place for the QSWP will be announced on April 1, 2015.
Destination Quebec
Though successful applicants to the QSWP become permanent residents of Canada, which entails the freedom of movement and labour rights within Canada that comes with permanent resident status, candidates are required from the outset to have the intention to reside in Quebec. Many, if not most, successful QSWP applicants choose to remain in Quebec in any case. Those who do so become residents of one of Canada’s most populous, diverse, and dynamic provinces.
The majority of newcomers to Quebec settle in the Greater Montreal Area. Montreal, which was recently named by The Economist magazine as the second-best city in the world to live in, is also Canada’s second-largest city. While French is the predominant language in Quebec, English is also widely spoken, particularly in and around Montreal. Immigrants who wish to learn French and integrate into Quebec’s society more actively can do so for free, thanks to a well-organized system of government-sponsored language courses.
Immigration to Quebec
“The government of Quebec is within its rights to modify the program as it sees fit,” says Attorney David Cohen. “However, the fact that the maximum number of points to be awarded for a candidate’s area of training remains 16 points suggests that radical changes to the program may be unlikely.
“The government could reopen the program under the same regulations that have been in place since April, 2014, or the regulations could be altered. One thing we do know is that the government of Quebec has said it will not be moving to an Express Entry-style system — like the one launched by the federal government — this year, though it may do so down the line.
“The areas of training list gives a glimpse into the types of immigrant that Quebec is seeking. Information Technology occupations have been given a clear boost in points, which is great news for potential applicants with training and experience in those jobs. I have lived in Quebec for most of my life, and would most certainly recommend this province to potential newcomers to Canada.”
To find out if you are eligible for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, or any of Canada’s over 60 immigration programs, please fill out a free assessment today.
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